Ireland moved up to ninth position in the ICC Twenty20 International world rankings by holding their nerve to secure a two-run win and resulting series whitewash in the third match against Kenya in Mombasa. John Mooney held his nerve in the final over of the innings, as Kenya, needing just seven to win, could only manage four.

The home side’s batsmen had got off to a good start in pursuit of Ireland’s modest total of 107 for nine, as Collins Obuya (42 from 38 balls) and Tanmay Mishra (37 from 40) put on 53 for the third wicket to counteract the loss of both openers early on. However, Ireland’s spinners pegged things back, with Dockrell following up the wicket of Duncan Allan with that of Ragheb Aga for 12 in the penultimate over, and Andrew White returning figures of two for 18 with his part-time off-spin.

Earlier, the visitors’ innings had got off to a stuttering start as Paul Stirling was run-out without facing a ball by Hiren Varaiya and Shem Ngoche dismissed Kevin O’Brien (4) and William Porterfield (3) in quick succession. It was then left to Ed Joyce, in partnership with Gary Wilson (32) to rebuild Ireland’s innings, before he too fell to Ngoche –who ended up with career-best figures of four for 14 – for 38 in the penultimate over as the Irish closed on 107 for nine.

It proved to be just enough on the slow Mombasa pitch, and, in a match where both sides opened the bowling with two spinners, Ireland’s escapades in Kenya ended as they had started – with a hard-fought low-scoring win over the hosts on a spinning pitch in Mombasa.